Student Core Didactic IPE Session: Safe & Effective Communication

Emphasizing Communication for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

In this core IPE session, students will enhance their understanding of how effective communication enhances teamwork and contributes to better patient outcomes. Through this activity, students will have the opportunity to practice and develop communication skills to convey information effectively in a safe and supportive learning environment.   

The Safe & Effective Communication activity provides students from diverse health professions with a unique opportunity to learn with, from, and about each other through a shared, collaborative experience. During the session, students will participate in a virtual, team-based activity designed to strengthen your skills in structured healthcare communication.  

This activity is strategically designed to reinforce Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies—teams & teamwork, values & ethics, and roles & responsibilities—with a strong emphasis on applying communication principles in collaborative team-based settings. Through these immersive, hands-on activities, students deepen their understanding of interprofessional communication while cultivating a collaborative mindset that aligns with the principles of interprofessional practice.   

Estimated Time Commitment

  • 1.5 hours session preparation/pre-work  
  • 2.0 hours live virtual didactic session  
  • 0.5 hours post-session self-assessment survey & reflection 

Assessment Method

  • ICCAS Self-Assessment Survey 
  • Self-Reflection 

Session Learning Objectives

As developed and defined by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC)  

Communication Domain: Communicate in a responsive, responsible, respectful, and compassionate manner with team members. 

  1. Use communication tools, techniques, and technologies to enhance team function, well-being, and health outcomes (C2). 
  1. Practice active listening that encourages ideas and opinions of other team members (C5). 
  1. Use constructive feedback to connect, align, and accomplish team goals (C6).  
  1. Reflect on self and team performance to inform and improve team effectiveness (TT6). 
  1. Value the expertise of health professionals and its impact on team functions and health outcomes (VE5). 
  1. Incorporate complementary expertise to meet health needs, including the determinants of health (RR3). 

Participating Programs

  • CWU Master of Public Health  
  • Heritage Bachelor of Science in Nursing  
  • Pacific Lutheran Master of Social Work  
  • Pacific Lutheran Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy  
  • PNWU College of Osteopathic Medicine  
  • PNWU Master of Arts in Medical Science  
  • PNWU School of Occupational Therapy  
  • PNWU School of Physical Therapy  
  • PNWU School of Dental Medicine  

What to Expect During the Live IPE Session

During your scheduled IPE session, you will work in pre-assigned interprofessional team of students from various health professions. Together, you will engage in a collaborative learning experience centered around healthcare communication. 

As a team, you will:  

  • Deliver two pre-prepared communication plans using a menu of provided case scenarios. 
  • Practice the (I)SBAR technique by roleplaying patient care handoff scenarios. 
  • Rotate roles as the speaker, listener/receiver, and observer. 
  • Provide constructive peer feedback using standardized rubric. 
  • Engage in discussion through small group and large group activities to share perspectives and deepen your understanding of interprofessional communication.